enjoyment of the course. Here is a précis of Colin’s booklet which, we believe, is a great idea
Colin Jones’ hole by hole wildlife booklet has proved popular with members and visitors. It aims to show just how important golf courses are to the environment as well as enhancing the golfers
Breaking the Mold!
Hole 1: The gorse to the left and right flowers every spring and winter; it is good hazard and a useful wildlife habitat, which provides a good roosting and nesting site for long-tailed tits and other small birds, whilst the flowers of this species act as an excellent nectar source for bumble bees. The right side of the fairways are a variety of trees such as ash, beech, silver birch and scots pine. Greater willow herb and nettles encourage hoverflies, bees and butterflies amongst the gorse to the left.
Hole 2: The rough to the left of the fairway is not only out of bounds but is left undisturbed for the benefit of the wildlife. Greater celandine (yellow) and garlic mustard (white) take advantage of this naturally wild area. A variety of evergreen and deciduous trees segregate this hole from the 1st.
Hole 3: An uphill par 3 with great grassy undulations, a slice and the ball is all but lost in unforgiving long rough grass amongst a copse of silver birch, where moles are active. Cow parsley borders this hole along the untouched hedgerow, popular with the gatekeeper butterfly. The grey squirrel is fairly common on the course, they do have a reputation as a pest that damages trees but we have not witnessed any problem within the course from this agile denizen.
Hole 4: The woodland up the right side of this hole is abundant with all sorts of wildlife; nesting buzzards are easily seen and heard. As you reach the green, listen to the sounds of the smaller songbirds within the woodland fringe. Chiffchaff and willow warbler will provide the spring chorus giving way to resident species such as blackbird, song thrush and robin through spring to early summer. Sparrowhawks nest in the woods and can often be seen darting along the edge of the woodland in search of prey. These birds only take their prey on the wing, eating it where it falls - hence the piles of feathers often seen on the fairways.
Hole 5: Flanked by dense mature woodland, tawny owls can regularly be heard around the woods at dusk. Listen out for the harsh cry from the colourful member of the crow family, the Jay. Golfers have reported seeing adders down the wall on the 5th, an ideal location for them as this east facing wall warms in the early morning sun. Be careful how you retrieve your lost ball.
Hole 6: The gorse is the best wildlife habitat here, and is the favourite place for rabbits and longtailed tits. Ox-eye daisy flourishes on the wild banks of this tee. There is a badger set hidden away amongst the undergrowth. Their damage activity is rarely seen on the course as the greens staff quickly repair it every morning before complaints.
Hole 7: Purple orchids favour this ground at the top of the quarry, where there is very little soil. Ivy can be seen on many trees through the tunneled walk through the woods. It’s one of the few plants to flower in September providing valuable nectar for bees. It also provides excellent year round protection for many insects and birds. Opinions are split on ivy being a nuisance to trees; it will not kill a healthy tree
although a weak tree will succumb to ivy infestation. At Mold we have done some ivy cutting, but left some for the wildlife. This ancient wall facing the prevailing wind is covered with lichens. Alongside the 7th green lady's bed straw (yellow), cow parsley (white), and tufted vetch (purple) can be seen attracting many insects.
Hole 8: On the left of the tee is an area untouched for long grass, bracken, thistle and wild flowers which, although can look unkempt, provides outstanding conservation value. Keep an eye out for the kestrel that comes hunting for voles in this area.The hovering bird of prey kills and eats on the ground after ‘dropping’ on to its target. Halfway up the hill is an Aspen tree. Its leaves can be heard fluttering in the breeze. In autumn it is always surrounded by fly agaric - a striking red and white spotted toadstool commonly represented in childrens’ books.
Hole 9: A pair of peregrine falcons nest in the quarry behind this green; they can be heard calling and seen carrying pigeons and crows back to their nest in summer. They are the fastest bird in the world so blink and you’ll miss them. Ravens, the largest member of the crow family, can also be seen around this area, but keep an eye on your golf ball as they have been known to carry them away mistaking them for eggs. Dog rose that borders the 9th wall is armed with curved thorns and look close if you enjoy gooseberries as there are wild bushes here.
Hole 10: On your way to the 10th tee enjoy the walk through the gorse and you’ll see red and white campion. Try to be very quiet and you could see wood mice, stoats and other wild animals. There are plenty of wild raspberry bushes in this area for golfers and animals to feed on in August. Don’t get confused with the puff balls growing in the rough, as they do look a little like golf balls from a distance. The summer of 2007 was extremely wet which was good for fungi as they are not normally active until early autumn when conditions are damper.
Hole 11: Behind the green is a ten year old crab apple tree which will bring future wildlife to enjoy its fruit. Behind the tee is a fox’s den, the inhabitants have been spotted many times early in the morning crossing the course on their way home. Pipistrelle bats can be seen around this area at dusk, but occasionally appear in the daytime.
Hole 12: This quiet corner of the course is popular with field forget-me-not, rabbits abound, not forgetting the magpies. Although magpies, being opportunists, will take eggs and chicks, this has been shown by the RSPB to have little direct relevance to the song bird decline that is being experienced through the country. In fact recent research shows that smaller birds in woodland situations do tend to occur in greater numbers around magpies and other larger predatory species, possibly due to feeling more secure through much of the year!
Hole 13: In summer, yellow iris will fill the pond, which is also full of dragonflies, frogs and pond
skaters whilst the water lasts. A slice could land you in the pond or in the wildflower rich rough grassland which will provide a visual treat for the golfer in mid summer. Over hit your shot and you can find yourself looking for your ball in the blackberry bushes. Bramble is an important shrub providing cover and a rich food source to many smaller birds and invertebrates.Rooks regularly visit this area for food; divots are replaced by golfer and greenkeeper only to be turned over again by the rook, jackdaws and carrion crows.
Hole 14: Bluebells border this area in spring, which encourage bees and butterflies. A dead hawthorn can also be seen which is left for insects and small birds, such as treecreepers and nuthatches, to feed on. A newly planted oak tree can be seen in the foreground, an excellent tree for wildlife. Ragwort is a component of the grassland well behind the tee. This species is often persecuted for its harmful properties to cattle and horses when cut into hay. It does, however, provide an important ecological resource, particularly for the cinnabar moth, which is endemic to this species. At Mold we control ragwort to limit its extent, whilst leaving sufficient to enhance the wildlife.
Hole 15: The hawthorn on this hole always looks a picture when flowering in May which is also the name of the hawthorn’s flower. It is normally late flowering due to the course’s altitude. You can also see birdsfoot trefoil - the main food plant of the common blue butterfly. The old limestone wall shows how moss is colonising the damp shady conditions under the ash and sycamore trees.
Hole 16: The cowslips survive well amongst the uncut wiry fescue. The tall leylandii at the back of the green provide a good nesting site for wood pigeon. Broom is natural here and is spreading well. We are trying to encourage it, along with the gorse, on various areas of the course as it attracts butterflies and insects, and is also a good golfing hazard when established.
Hole 17: This is the highest point of the course with dramatic views in all directions. Buzzards can be seen soaring and taking an easy meal of worms off the fairway early on a winter’s morning. The old building is used by pied wagtails every year for a nest site. We’ve also put up a bat box, but it has not been used as yet. Field voles have made the competition tee their home; these holes have been used for years. The tee is made with local limestone making good cavities for nesting. The poor quality of the grass is caused by a combination of very little soil overlying rock and huge leylandii conifers sucking up water, leaving arid conditions for grass growth.
Hole 18: Shaggy ink cap can be found around the tee. When taking your last putt do give consideration to the amount of wildlife and habitats seen during your round, and consider the role the golf course plays in the environment - golf courses are brilliant nature reserves.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138